KHS Music Department honors graduates

May 24, 2012

KINGSFORD - The Kingsford High School Music Department honored special students at its annual Music Awards Program.

The evening began, as it has for many years, with an ice cream social hosted by the Kingsford Music Booster Club for music students and their families.

In addition to the awarding of several special senior music awards, the program included recognition of each participant in the high school music department, both individually and as a class.

Each year of involvement in the music department garners the students a form of recognition - ranging from a certificate of participation for first year to a chenille letter as junior and finally to receiving a senior music department plaque for four years of participation.

"It's important that we take time to acknowledge the work and commitment of each student on behalf of our program, especially as students find it harder each year to balance state-mandated curriculum requirements with their own interests and aspirations in music," Ben Sherk, department chair and director of bands for the Kingsford Music Programs explained.

"We want our students to know how important they are to our department and to the future of our program," he said. "It's our hope that annual recognition of their achievements within the music department re-affirms the value of music in their lives and in our schools."

The annual music awards program also includes "The Passing of the Pants."

The ceremony represents the tradition at KHS whereby the incoming drum majors are presented with the required white uniform pants by an outgoing Drum Major. This year - Michelle Scheibe and Josh Johnson, are the new drum majors for 2012-13 and received their white pants from outgoing drum majors Erin Dreher and Dustin Ramlow.

The awards evening concluded with a slide presentation of music department student activities and antics over the past year, created by Robin To, and an informal fun-filled "roast" of outgoing seniors by fellow band and chorus members.